Circuit maker and breaker



June 2 7, 1933. co s 1,915,406

CIRCUIT MAKER AND BREAKER Filed Oct. 30, 1931 TaQnzZz'ovCazZ 4r .49 /7 a /4 x I 76 1'76)" z Z I a z i L 1 i a .15 /a 1 2 we I A (TIM y /0 Inventor Patented June 27, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRED COURSEY, OF PARIS, TEXAS CIRCUIT MAKER AND BREAKER This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in circuit makers and breakers, the primary object of this invention is to provide means to automatically control an electric circuit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mercury switch capable of being arranged in the battery circuit of an automobile and so mountedon the automobile as to operate in the event the automobile is overturned, whereby to close the circuit to the motor, for stopping the latter, so as to prevent fire, and at the same time to sound the horns with which the automobile is usually equipped, whereby the horn may be utilized as a distress signal.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following description, taken in connec tion with the following drawing, whereas v Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the switch section.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional View therethrough, and taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the partition block.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, it will be seen that the switch comprises a casing 5 of suitable insulating material, and which, in the present instance, is cylindrical. The wall of the casing at'the lower end is turned inwardly and upwardly to provide a supporting flange 6 for supporting a bottom closure plate 7 for the casing.

Arranged within the casing 55, above the plate 7, is a partition block 8 formed of aluminum or any other suitable constructive material, and having an opening 9 vertically therethrough. The bore of opening 9 has a conical end portion, the largest end of which opens outwardly at the top of the block, and a relatively small circular portion at the smaller end of the conical portion 9 and opening outwardly of the bottom of the partition block 8.

Partition block 8 thus serves to provide in the case a lower mercury or fluid chamber 10, and an upper chamber 11.

The partition block 8 at the lower end thereof has its periphery beveled as shown, and at said end the block is also provided with inclined openings 12 connecting the compartments 10 and 11, openings 12 proiding air passages to facilitate the flow of periphery from compartments 10 to chamber 11 when the switch .is tilted.

Closing the upper end of the casing 5 is a plug 19 of aluminum or any other suitable conductive material and provided with a cen 39 tral opening within which is arranged a bushing 13 of insulating material.

A terminal bolt 14 extends through the bushing 13, and on its inner end is equipped with a disk like head 15 of aluminum or other suitable conductive material between which and the plug 12 is interposed a washer 16 of insulating material. The upper end of the terminal bolt 14 is provided with the usual means for connecting a lead thereto.

A second terminal bolt 17 extends radially through the peripheral wall of the casing 5, and at its inner end is received in a radial socket or opening provided in the plug 12. At its outer end the terminal bolt 17 is also provided with conventional means for connecting a lead thereto.

A third terminal bolt 18 also extends ra dially through a peripheral wall of the casing 5 and at its inner end extends through a radial opening provided in the partition block 8 adjacent the lower end of the block. The outer end of the terminal bolt 18 is likewise equipped with conventional means for securing a lead thereto.

As before intimated, the casing 5 is adapted to contain'a fluid, such as mercury, to a level indicated in the drawing and the latter is normally confinedwithin the lower chamber 10. I

In actual practice, the casing of the switch structure is mounted in a vertical position and suitably located on the automobile. A lead providing a ground connection for the switch is connected to the terminal 18, while 95 a lead from the ignition coil is connected to the terminal 14, and a lead providing a ground terminal for the horn is connected to the terminal 17 In the event the automobile turns over, or 100 because of any other untoward movement as would result in a tilting of the casing 5, it will be apparent that fluid in the chamber 10 will flow through the opening in the partition 8 into the chamber 11 thereby grounding terminals 14 and 17 to ground terminal 18 resulting in an opening of the primary or ignition circuit, and a closing of the circuit to the horn causing the latter to sound and thus function as a distress signal.

While I have herein described the invention as being specially applicable to an automobile, it is apparent that the same should be used for aeroplane motors, in burglar alarms, and the like.

As before stated the switch is suitably arranged in the primary circuit being connected between the usual coil and breaker point, and is also in circuit with the horn. Normally the casing of the switch is in vertical position and obviously should the vehicle upset, or tilt to a dangerous angle causing a tilting of the improved switch, the mercury will flow from the chamber 10 to the chamber 11 and in the chamber 11, and as indicated by dotted line in the drawing will so contact with the members 15, 18 and 19, all of which are of conductive material, the member 18 being a binding post, a closing of the primary circuit, and an opening of the horn circuit will result, changing of the position of the mercury being readily facilitated by reason of the air passages 12 aforementioned.

Even though I have herein shown and described the invention it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of further changes, modifications and improvements coming within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. A fluid switch of the character described comprising in combination a casing adapted to contain suitable fluid, a partition arranged in the-casing dividing the same into two compartments, said partition having an opening therethrough connecting the compartments, two terminals located adjacent the upper end of the upper compartment and having their axis arranged at right angles to one another, and a third terminal having its axis parallel to one of the first mentioned terminals and having one end thereof extending radially through said partition.

2. A fluid switch of the character described comprising in combination a casing adapted to contain suitable fluid, a partition arranged in the casing dividing the same into two compartments, said partition having an opening therethrough connecting the compartments, two terminals located adjacent the upper end of the upper compartment and having their axis arranged at right angles to one another, and a third terminal having its axis parallel to one of the first mentioned terminals and having one end thereof extending radially through said partition, and said partition having the bore of its openings substantially conical at the upper end thereof and substantially circular at the lower end thereof.

3. A fluid switch of the character described comprising in combination a casing adapted to contain the fluid, a partition of conductive material arranged in the casing and dividing the same into an upper and lower compartment, said partition having an opening extending axially therethrough, a plug of conductive material closing the upper end of the casing, a terminal bolt extending axially through the plug, a second terminal bolt extending radially from the plug and projecting laterally of the casing, and a third terminal projecting radially from the partition, said last mentioned terminal having one end arrangedin an opening in said partition member and extending radially therethrough.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FRED COURSEY. 

